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More than one billion people volunteer globally. Considering the hours they contribute, this is equivalent to over 109 million full-time workers. This global volunteer workforce, or "Volunteeria" as the State of the World's Volunteerism Report 2018 calls it, exceeds the number of people employed in six of the 10 most populous countries worldwide.

The vast majority of volunteer work happens informally, with 70 per cent of all people who volunteer working directly to help people in their communities, while the remaining 30 per cent volunteer through formal organizations. Women represent 57 per cent of all volunteers.

Nurturing local volunteerism is a valuable way to bring unheard opinions, and know-how to the table, and helps to weave and strengthen the social fabric of all societies. --Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, IVD 2018

Not only are volunteers on the front lines in their own communities during hard times, but groups of local volunteers build strength to cope with future crisis. This is because volunteering makes it possible for people to self-organize, share information and respond to shocks and stresses quickly.

By coming together to volunteer, the sense of solidarity and connections among people working together are also strengthened. This is especially important for the most isolated and vulnerable communities where other types of support are limited.

Volunteers strive for a better world through their actions. In the face of myriad crises, volunteerism gives us hope. And in general, local volunteers build the bonds that hold a society together.

The diverse and dynamic role of volunteerism in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals merits strong support from Governments and other stakeholders. On this International Day, I thank volunteers for their efforts to leave no one behind. --UN Secretary-General António Guterres, IVD 2018

The 2018 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report provides evidence reinforcing the enormous potential of volunteering as a core foundation of resilient communities. Volunteers weave the safety nets that societies need and with the right support, they can create communities that are inclusive and capable of coping with crisis.

The vast majority of volunteers are already working day in, day out in their own communities. Each one of us can volunteer and change the world – locally and globally – for the better.